Pirates cruise past slow-starting Reds

Photo by: Al Behrman

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo

Pittsburgh Pirates' Neil Walker (18) scores as Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan waits for the throw in the first inning of a major league baseball game, Monday, April 18, 2011 in Cincinnati. Walker scored on a hit by Chris Snyder.

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

The Pirates didn’t slow down this time.

Andrew McCutchen doubled home two runs as part of Pittsburgh’s biggest offensive showing this season, and the Pirates took advantage of another slow-starting Cincinnati pitcher, beating the Reds 9-3 on Monday night.

The Pirates scored three runs in the first off left-hander Travis Wood (1-2), the second game in a row that a Reds starter couldn’t get going. Instead of dropping off after the fast start, the Pirates kept it up, achieving a season high in runs.

“We made ’em throw a lot of pitches,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We saw pitches, we didn’t chase a whole lot. We had five two-out RBIs and a lot of two-strike hits.”

Kevin Correia (3-1) gave up four hits during his second career complete game, using the big early lead to his advantage. His toughest time came at the plate in the ninth inning, when he had to bat against left-hander Aroldis Chapman so he could go for the complete game.

He worked the count full, fouling off three pitches that registered 100 mph or better before grounding back to the mound.

“He’s throwing 103 and I don’t know what I’m trying to do,” Correia said. “After the first pitch, I moved a foot farther from the plate and started hacking.”

Pittsburgh took three of four in the series, giving the defending NL Central champs their comeuppance before a crowd of 12,777 that groaned a lot. The Pirates have won their first three road series for the first time since 2002, when they dropped 89 games.

“It gives us more confidence, winning another game on the road against a team in our division,” McCutchen said. “I believe it’s three now, right? That’s great.”

Scott Rolen led off the second with a double to center and scored on a throwing error by third baseman Steve Pearce. The Reds didn’t get another hit until the eighth, when Pittsburgh was in control.